What is a PCO car?
A PCO car is a car licensed for private hire in London, so a driver can carry passengers who book a ride. Here is what the name means and the rules the car must meet.
Last reviewed 23 October 2026
What PCO means
PCO stands for Public Carriage Office. It was part of the Metropolitan Police and licensed London's taxis. Its work moved to Transport for London (TfL), which now licenses private hire cars and drivers in London. The old name stayed, so drivers still say PCO car, PCO licence and PCO badge.
What a PCO car must have
- A private hire vehicle licence from TfL, renewed every year after a licensing inspection
- Licence discs on the front and rear windscreens, showing the TfL licence number and expiry date
- Hire and reward insurance, which covers carrying passengers for money
- An MOT certificate issued in the 14 days before its inspection
- A car licensed with TfL for the first time must be zero emission capable (ZEC) and meet Euro 6
- A car that already has a TfL licence can be licensed again until it is 10 years old
- TfL's private hire vehicle licence page
A PCO car is not a taxi
- PCO car Must be booked through a TfL-licensed private hire operator, such as an app or a minicab firm. It cannot be stopped in the street or use a taxi rank.
- Taxi (black cab) Can be stopped in the street or taken from a rank, and can also be booked. It has a 'for hire' light on the roof.
- How to tell A PCO car shows TfL licence discs on its windscreens. The driver wears a private hire ID with their name, photo and licence number.
- TfL's guide to taxis and private hire
Outside London
Outside London, each council sets its own rules for private hire cars.
Renting a PCO car
If you do not own a PCO car, you can rent one from a rental company. The rental company keeps the car licensed, and you need your own private hire driver licence.
More guides
- How to get a PCO licence A PCO licence is a private hire driver licence. You need one to drive for Uber, Bolt or any private hire company. In London it comes from TfL, and outside London from your local council.
- PCO car hire, with every cost shown up front PCO car hire means renting a car licensed for private hire, so you can drive for Uber, Bolt and other apps. On Kharo you see the rent, deposit and insurance before you apply.
- Rent a car for Uber and Bolt To drive for Uber or Bolt you need a car with a private hire licence. If you do not own one, you can rent one, priced by the week and paid monthly. Kharo lists cars from rental companies, with every cost shown.
- Rent a car for Bolt To drive for Bolt you need a car with a private hire licence. If you do not own one, you can rent one from a rental company.
- All guides
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Questions
What does PCO stand for?
Public Carriage Office, the old name of the office that licensed London's taxis. Transport for London does the licensing now.
Is a PCO car the same as a minicab?
A minicab is one kind of private hire vehicle. Chauffeur and executive cars are others. In London they all need a TfL licence, so drivers call them PCO cars.
Can I use my own car as a PCO car?
Yes, if TfL licenses it. It must pass the licensing inspection and have hire and reward insurance. A car licensed with TfL for the first time must be zero emission capable (ZEC) and meet Euro 6.
Can I hire a PCO car on Kharo today?
Cars are not booked online yet. You can see the cars and prices now. Register your interest or message us on WhatsApp, and we'll help you arrange a car.